Talenti: Josh Hochschuler

In this episode, Josh Hochschuler recounts his journey from a finance role at Bank of Boston to founding Talenti gelato, one of America's best-selling gelato brands. After moving to Buenos Aires in 1996, he fell in love with the local gelato scene. Upon returning to the U.S., he initially attempted to launch a chain of gelato shops. However, realizing that retail wasn't viable, he shifted his focus to wholesale distribution. The turning point came when he partnered with Steve Gill and Eddie Phillips, former owners of Belvedere vodka, who invested in Talenti and helped him navigate the business. Despite challenges, including a financial crisis that nearly took the business under, Talenti grew significantly in sales, eventually catching the attention of Unilever, which acquired the brand in 2014. Throughout the episode, Josh emphasizes the blend of hard work, determination, and a bit of serendipity that contributed to his success.